SHOWER ENCLOSURE SEALING SYSTEM

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sealing system for use with a shower enclosure of the type having an open side portion, a shower base (15), and a shower door (20). A track (24) is mounted to the base (15) with a sleeve (25) adjustably disposed on the track (24) for vertical movement. The sleeve (25) has a seal (71) on its upper surface (41) directly under the door (20) when the door (20) is closed. A fastener allows a user to secure the sleeve (25) and seal (71) in a proper vertical alignment relative to the base (15).

Description: SHOWER ENCLOSURE SEALING SYSTEM Background Of The Invention Technical Field This invention relates generally to shower enclosures. More particularly, it relates to an adjustable sealing system for creating a water-tight seal between a shower stall base and the bottom edges of both a shower enclosure wall and a shower door. Background Art In the past, sealing strips have typically been mounted on the lower edge of a shower door or the upper edge of a shower enclosure entry step. When the shower door was pivoted to the closed position, the strip was designed to prevent leakage between the door bottom and the top edge of the entry step. However, if the door was hung somewhat out of alignment, or if the entry step was otherwise not parallel the door bottom (e.g. the shower base was mounted on a floor with a depression in it), this could cause a leak to occur. Side wall jambs adjacent the door were sometimes provided with complex adjusters to correct this problem. However, such systems were costly, and did not correct for alignment problems at the lower edge of stationary enclosure walls. Thus, a need has existed for an improved, low cost, and reliable sealing system that can adjustably effect a water-tight seal between a shower stall base and both the shower door and an adjacent enclosure wall. Disclosure Of The Invention The present invention resides in a sealing system that can be used in conjunction with a shower enclosure. The enclosure is of the type having a base, a stationary side wall, an entry, and a door that pivots between an open position and a position that closes the entry. The system has a track mounted on the base along the entry; a rod mounted on the track along the entry; a fastener for adjustably securing the rod to the track; and a seal mounted on the rod along the entry. When installing the door, the seal can be moved relative to the base so as to move the seal into a position where it will contact a lower edge of the shower door when the door closes the entry. In a preferred form there is a set screw extending sideways which locks the vertical position of the rod relative to the track at a position under the entry, and there is also a substantially vertical support pin connected between the rod and track under a portion of the enclosure other than the entry. The pin can be adjusted during installation of the enclosure to alter the vertical position of the stationary side wall relative to the base. The pin is preferably a threaded bolt. In another aspect there can be four of such bolts, two of which are on each side of the entry, and a portion of the top surface of the rod below the stationary side wall can have a groove along its length for receiving a projection extending to the wall. In yet another aspect, the rod can include a vertical bore for receiving a hinge pin of the door, and there can be a seal disposed between the rod and track. The present invention allows a user to adjust the plumb both under the door and under one or more stationary walls. It does so without leaving projections that could snag a user's feet at the entry barrier and in a way that effectuates a tight seal. The system also provides a hinge bore. The components of the sealing system are inexpensive, easy to use, and do not require that alterations be made to either the shower door or wall jamb. The objects of the invention therefore include providing a shower enclosure sealing system of the above kind: (a) which is easily adjustable so that gaps between a shower base and a shower door, and also between the base and a shower wall, may be sealed; (b) which is relatively inexpensive to produce and install, and which has simple and durable components; and (c) which provides an effective, yet still aesthetically pleasing seal. These and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In the description, the preferred embodi ents of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather, the invention may be employed in other embodiments. Reference, therefore, should be made to the claims to ascertain the full breath of the invention. Brief Description Of The Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shower enclosure having the sealing system of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system, taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, albeit with both shower doors closed; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system, taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system, taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the sealing system taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Best Modes For Carrying Out The Invention Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a shower stall 10 is shown in which has been installed a sealing system 12 embodying the present invention. The stall 10 is installed in a corner alcove 11. It has a base 15 with a drain hole 16, two stationary wall members 18 (each sealed against an alcove wall along a side), and two hingedly mounted swinging doors 20. A conventional shower head 21 provides water to the stall 10 (when activated by knob 22). Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the sealing system 12 provides a water tight seal along the entire seam between the base 15 and both walls 18 and between the base and both doors 20. As best seen in Fig. 3, there is a track 24 that has a hat shaped cross section consisting of rectangular section 35 having a horizontal top surface 27, two vertical opposing surfaces 28, and a horizontal bottom surface 29. Two foot members 31, one on either vertical surface 28 of the track 24, extend laterally outward along the length of the track 24. A rod in the form of sleeve 25 is generally of an inverted "U" shape. It can be formed in one piece or in several segments that are bolted or otherwise rigidly linked together. For most of its length there is a horizontal section 32 and vertical members 33, 34. This defines downwardly open channel 36 that is sized to receive the upper rectangular portion 35 of the track 24. Two "T" grooves 37 can be provided along the channel, one on each of the interior surfaces of vertical members 33, 34. These receive seals 39. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a groove 40 is provided within the top surface 41 of the horizontal member 32 below each stationary wall member 18. The groove 40 tightly receives a suitably sized sill 42. Sill 42 has a wall slot 43 at its upper end which tightly receives and provides support for a glass part of wall 18. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, at four adjustment points 45 near opposite lateral edges 48, 49 of each wall 18, the track further includes bores 50 that can threadably receive vertical adjustment bolts 51. The bolts 51 each include an exaggerated head member 53. The rod 25 also has a vertical bore 52 extending partially up through the bottom surface 47 of the horizontal member 32. The sleeve bore 52 and groove 40 together forming an uninterrupted passageway. The sleeve bore 52 extends radially outwardly farther than the width of the groove 40 so as to define an internal sleeve flange 56. The sleeve bore 52 receives the exaggerated head member 53 so that the flange 56 rests on the top surface 55 of the head member 53. The tops of the bolt heads 53 have a suitable slot so that the bolt can be- moved up or down via access through groove 40 (before the wall 18 is installed) . It will be appreciated that the farther the bolt is screwed into the bore 50, the lower that part of the rod 25 will be held relative to the base. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 5, at the joint 58 between the wall 18 and the door 20, while the track 24 continues, there is a modified sleeve 25' having a modified horizontal member 32' and one vertical member 33. The modified horizontal member 32' is of a substantially reduced thickness. A pivot sheath 60 has a horizontal portion 61 and first and second downwardly extending vertical extensions 62, 63. The sheath 60 defines a channel 64 that receives both the upper rectangular portion 35 of the track 24 and the modified sleeve 25'. The top surface 41' of the modified horizontal member 32' is in supporting communication with the bottom surface 59 of the horizontal portion 61 of the sheath 60. When the reduced thickness of the modified horizontal member 32' is added to the thickness of the horizontal portion 61 of the sheath 60, the combined thickness is identical to that of the unmodified horizontal member 32 (see Fig. 3), so that the top surface 66 of the sheath 60 is co-planar with the top surface 41 of adjacent portions of the horizontal member 32. A vertical pivot bore 65 is provided through the vertical extension 63. The pivot bore 65 receives a pin 67 integrally attached to and extending longitudinally down from an associated door 20. Referring also to Fig. 1, as the door 20 is opened, the pin 67 rotates within the pivot bore 65. A second pin (not shown) is provided at the opposing adjacent top corner 68 of the door 20, the second pin being received in a similar pivot bore near the top of the shower 10 (not shown) coaxial aligned with pivot bore 65. It will be appreciated that vertical adjustments of the track will normally not move the door. Referring to Fig. 5, a "T" slot 69 is provided in the top surface 66 of the sheath 60. The "T" slot receives a rubber seal 71. The seal 71 is compressible when the door 20 is closed on it. Referring next to Figs. 2 and 6, between the two pivot sheaths 60 (and under the region where the doors close) the track continues. Also, a sleeve 25 is provided with a horizontal member 32, and two vertical members 33, 34 to define the sleeve channel 36. Because the top surface 66 of the sheath 60 and the top surface 41 of the horizontal member 32 are co-planar, the slot 69 and seal 71 may run the entire distance between the two pivot joints 58 (see Fig. 1) and the seal 71 may make a smooth transition between the sheath 60 and adjacent portions of the sleeve 25 beneath the doors 20. Referring now to Figs . 2 and 7 , the sealing configuration below the doors 20 is shown at 76. At this position, threaded horizontal bore 77 is provided through a vertical member 33. A set screw 78 is threadably received within the bore 77. When tightened, end 79 of the lateral screw 78 wedges against vertical surface 28 of the track 24 to lock the rod in place with respect to the track. This also causes a compression of the seal 39 against the opposing vertical surface 28 of the track 24. Note that at the entry barrier no vertically projecting adjustment element is used. This reduces the risk of a user becoming snagged upon entry. However, the heavy loads of the stationary walls are directly borne by vertical bolts. To install the sealing system 12, a layer of silicone 80 (or a similar sealant) is applied to the bottom 29 of the track 24. The track 24 is then placed on the edge 17 of the shower base 15. Next, the seals 39 are inserted into their respective "T" slots 39 on the interior surface of the sleeve channel 36. Referring to Fig. 4, the vertical adjustment bolts 51 can then be partially screwed into their associated adjustment bores 50 and the sleeve 25 can then be set on top of the track 24 so that the bolt heads 53 are received within the sleeve bores 52 and the seals 39 are slightly compressed. After the sleeve 25 is in place, a screwdriver can be inserted through groove 40 and placed in communication with each bolt head 53. The bolts 51 may be threaded into the track so that the top surface 41 of the sleeve 25, below where the wall members 18 are to be installed, is properly plumbed and fully supported by the two bolt heads 53 under each stationary wall. Next, sills 42 can be placed on the lower edge 18' of the wall members 18 and secured thereto by silicone sealant if desired. Each sill 42 can then be inserted into groove 40 in a horizontal member 32. The lateral screw 78 is then partially threaded in the horizontal bore 77 in a loose manner so that the sleeve 25 can be moved slightly vertically relative to the track 24, adjacent point 76. Next, the door pivot pins 67 are inserted into their associated pivot bores 65 so that the doors 20 hingedly hang by their lateral edges. The bottom edge 72 of each door 20 will then be near, but not touching, the seal 71 extending up from the sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 may then be pushed upward until the seal 71 is lightly compressed against the bottom edge 72. The lateral screw 78 can then be tightened. If desired, multiple horizontal set screws can be provided under the entry. Silicone can also be added along the seams between sleeves 25 and 25' and/or between the sleeve and track. In the latter case, the silicone may make the use of one or more of the internal seals 39 unnecessary. It should be appreciated that various modifications to the preferred embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, a shower enclosure may have only a single door. Also, the vertical bolt need not be positioned directly under the sill 42, and if desired the sills 42 can be wedged or bolted in place relative to sleeve 25. Thus, the breadth of the invention should not be judged by the description above, but rather by the following claims. Industrial Applicability The present invention provides a sealing system that can adjustably effect a water-tight seal between a shower stall base and both the shower door and an adjacent enclosure wall.

Claims: Claims I claim: 1. A sealing system for use with a shower enclosure, the enclosure being of the type having a base, an entry, a stationary side wall positioned within the entry which closes off a portion of the entry, and a door that pivots between an open position and a position that closes the entry, the system comprising: a track adapted to be mounted on the base along the entry; a rod mounted on the track along the entry; a fastener for adjustably securing the rod to the track wherein the fastener extends sideways between the rod and the track and can lock the rod in a vertical position relative to the track at a position under the door; a seal mounted on the rod along the entry; and a substantially vertical support pin connected between the rod and track under the stationary wall whereby the pin can be adjusted during installation of the enclosure to alter the stationary wall's vertical position; whereby, when installing the door the seal can be moved relative to the track so as to move the seal into a position where it will contact both a lower edge of the sidewall and a lower edge of the shower door when the door closes the entry. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a set screw. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the support pin is a threaded bolt. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein there is a first and a second such stationary wall, the first such stationary wall positioned on one side of the door above the rod, the second stationary wall positioned on an opposite side of the door above the rod, and there are four of said bolts, two of which are under the first stationary wall and two of which are under the second stationary wall. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of a top surface of the rod below the stationary wall has a groove along its length for receiving a projection extending to the stationary wall. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the rod includes a vertical bore for receiving a hinge pin of the door. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein a compressible seal is disposed between the rod and track.

Inventors: JOOSTENS JEAN-PHILIPPE ALAIN, JOOSTENS, JEAN-PHILIPPE, ALAIN
Applicants: DELAFON JACOB, JACOB DELAFON
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A47K3
IPC codes: A47K3